John P. Ardito, 82, of Port St. Lucie, Florida, passed away October 27, 2018 at Treasure Coast Hospice in Fort Pierce, FL.  He was the husband of Elizabeth Rutledge Ardito. Born in New Haven Aug. 23, 1936, he was the son of the late Frank  (Hot Dog) and Isabelle Maloney Ardito.  He was a resident of East Haven, snow birding for 10 years before settling in Florida. He was raised on Legion Avenue in New Haven and always talked about it being the best place to live. As a child, he loved City Mission and the Jewish Center. He attended St. John the Evangelist School, Troup Jr. High and Hillhouse. He loved the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Rangers and spent many a weekend at Phillies Stadium in Philadelphia and Clearwater, FL. He was always involved with his children coaching East Haven Biddy Basketball and at the East Shore Ice Rink on Woodward Ave. in New Haven. He would pick the worst players and win. He was always telling a joke and making people smile. He was a member of Bricklayers Union, Local 6 and worked on many projects such as the Knights of Columbus and Yale Childrens Hospital. He loved his life in Florida, playing golf, shuffleboard, bocci and pool. He will be missed by his many friends at Spanish Lakes.  Besides his wife of 61 years, he is survived by his children, John Ardito Jr. of East Haven, Joyce Ardito of New Haven and his “other son” Bob Doheny of Lynn Haven, FL.;grandchildren, John “Jay” Ardito, Michael Ardito and Melissa Crisci, all of East Haven;  brothers and sisters, Marylou (Edward) Knight of Orange, Colleen DelVecchio of West Haven, Edward Ardito of Las Vegas, Alice (Joseph) Mantovani of North Haven, Daniel Ardito of Hamden, sister in law, Marge Curello of Weymouth, Mass. and many nieces and nephews. Deceased relatives include Frank and Barbara Ardito, Brenda, Linda, Kathleen and James Ardito.
Friends may call at The Celentano Funeral Home, 424 Elm St. (cor. Dwight) New Haven Friday from 4 to 8 pm and are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish at the Church of Our Lady of Pompeii, 355 Foxon Road, East Haven Saturday 10:00 am. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN. 38105.